Grace Cathedral
Grace Cathedral
Prayers for Difficult Times
Israel and Gaza:
How can we pray for peace?
Whether our call is outward toward public action, or inward toward the still small voice, prayer is the most necessary thing. Without it, we risk to become the hate we abhor. With prayer, we can walk the narrow ways of justice and mercy, reconciliation and peace. But what do we pray? Consider this Anglican Rosary for Peace.
Codified Injustice:
A Lament
God of Justice,
as a city, and nation, and world,
we live outside your law:
the law that precludes double standards
and prospers second chances,
the law that shelters the homeless poor
and maintains inalienable rights for the stranger.
Show us power, and wonder, and signs.
Not you, breaking the laws of nature,
but us, breaking open the nature of our laws,
so that the possibility of abundant life
would unseal our covenant with death,
through Jesus Christ, the Crucified and Risen One.
Amen.
The Rev. Anna E. Rossi
A Prayer for
the Nation
O God of many nations,
God of the nations of indigenous people
who nurtured and cherished this land for centuries
before it was taken away,
O God of the nations who generously shared their people
with us over the last 400 years,
O God of all our people: rich and poor, young and old, famous and unknown.
Pour out your spirit upon us and cleanse our nations of fear and hatred.
Fill us with compassion and peace and a thirst for justice.
Give our nation a new beginning in your Grace.
We pray in the name of the Holy Trinity, One God.
Amen.
The Very Rev. Dr. Peggy Patterson
Prayer for
a New Beginning
In the beginning you beamed light that shines in the darkest hour, Light that no darkness could overcome:
Pierce the soul of this nation with your light, And enlighten everyone with your divine wisdom.
Pierce the soul of this nation with your light,
And blind the demons of violence and hate.
Pierce the soul of this nation with your light,
That our chests draw in hope
And our hands grasp with strength
And our innards gird with all their might
And our hearts pump the lifeblood
Of an unlikely, luminous new beginning being born.
Amen.
The Rev. Anna E. Rossi
A Prayer In Response
to Gun Violence
Let us lament with all those who are touched by gun violence
Let us lament the shooter’s choice for violence
Let us lament laws that allow violent men easy access to guns
Let us lament our politicians’ unwillingness to work for change
Let us lament with the hearts broken by loss today
Let us lament all the lives cut short today
Let us lament, O God, and then let us rise from our knees to work for change
In the name of Christ, the prince of peace.
Amen.
The Rev. Dr. Ellen Clark-King,
Former Executive Pastor and Canon for Social Justice
A Prayer for
DACA Dreamers
Most Holy God, in your word we read so many stories about the ones you have protected as they left home in search of a better life. Your servant Ruth said, “Your people will be my people, your God, my God.” You loved her and found a place for her in Israel. Scripture inspires us to strive for greater hospitality to the poor, the weak and strangers.
You have blessed us with dreamers who arrived here as children and today seek a way to make their contribution to our common life. We pray for them now. We pray that they will be allowed to work, study and live in safety. We pray that those in authority may turn away from the demons of prejudice, fear and scarcity, that they will set their hearts on acts of mercy. We pray that you will give us vision and inspire our concrete actions as we seek to realize our goal of liberty and justice for all.
May your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Amen.
Malcolm Clemens Young,
Dean of Grace Cathedral
Give Us Hope
When evil darkens our world, give us light. When despair numbs our souls, give us hope. When we stumble and fall, lift us up. When doubts assail us, give us faith. When nothing seems sure, give us trust. When ideals fade, give us vision. When we lose our way, be our guide! That we may find serenity in Your presence, and purpose in doing Your will.
John D. Rayner
For Trust in God
O God, the source of all health: So fill my heart with faith in your love, that with calm expectancy I may make room for your power to possess me, and gracefully accept your healing; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
A Prayer
In Pain
Lord Jesus Christ, by your patience in suffering you hallowed earthly pain and gave us the example of obedience to your Father’ will: Be near me in my time of weakness and pain; sustain me by your grace, that my strength and courage may not fail; heal me according to you will; and help me always to believe that what happens to me here is of little account if you hold me in eternal life, my Lord and my God.
Amen.
or this,
As Jesus cried out on the cross, I cry out to you in pain, O God my Creator. Do not forsake me. Grant me relief from this suffering and preserve me in peace; through Jesus Christ my Savior, in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
A Prayer
For Sleep
O heavenly Father, you give your children sleep for the refreshing of soul and body: Grant me this gift, I pray; keep me in that perfect peace which you have promised to those whose minds are fixed on you; and give me such a sense of your presence, that in the hours of silence I may enjoy the blessed assurance of your love; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
A Prayer
In the Morning
This is another day, O Lord. I know not what it will bring forth, but make me ready, Lord, for whatever it may be. If I am to stand up, help me to stand bravely. If I am to sit still, help me to sit quietly. If I am to lie low, help me to do it patiently. And if I am to do nothing, let me do it gallantly. Make these words more than words, and give me the Spirit of Jesus. Amen.
A Prayer
In the Evening
Keep watch, dear Lord, with those who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, Lord Christ; give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous; and all for your love’ sake. Amen.
A Child’s Prayer
Jesus, our Redeemer, Good Shepherd of the sheep, you carry the lambs in your arms. I place myself in your loving care. Stop my pain, give me help and strength, and raise me up to a life of joy. Hear me, I pray, for your dear Name’ sake. Amen.
or this,
Gentle Jesus, stay beside me through this day [night]. Take away my pain. Keep me safe. Help me in my fear. Make my body strong again and my heart glad. Thank you for your love which surrounds me always. Amen.
A Prayer
For a Sick Person
God of all comfort, our very present help in trouble, be near to me. Look on me with the eyes of your mercy; comfort me with a sense of your presence; preserve me from the enemy; and give me patience in my affliction. Restore me to health, and lead me to your eternal glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A Prayer
For Protection
Christ, light of light, brightness indescribable, the Wisdom, power and glory of God, the Word made flesh: you overcame the forces of Satan, redeemed the world, then ascended again to the Father. Grant me, I pray, in this tarnished world, the shining of your splendor. Send your Archangel Michael to defend me, to guard my going out and coming in, and to bring me safely to your presence, where you reign in the one holy and undivided Trinity, to ages of ages. Amen.
A Prayer
For One Suffering from Mental Distress
Blessed Jesus, in the comfort of your love, I lay before you the memories that haunt me, the anxieties that perplex me, the despair that frightens me, and my frustration at my inability to think clearly. Help me to discover your forgiveness in my memories and know your peace in my distress. Touch me, O Lord, and fill me with your light and your hope. Amen.